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PE01670: Reform the Scottish electoral system to make it democratic and accountable

Petitioner: James Cassidy

Status:

Closed

Date Lodged:
28 August 2017

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the current Scottish electoral system so that, when the relevant powers under the Scotland Act 2016 are devolved, candidates standing for a constituency seat are not also able to stand on the regional list.

Do you have any ideas about how it could be improved, so that parties can't use the system to prevent MSPs from losing their position?

This a backdoor for failed politicians within a party clique to keep a job

Charles McKinley

15:24 on 28 Aug 2017

We need a country run by the people we vote for, not the also rans

Myra Brodie

15:12 on 28 Aug 2017

Candidates should be limited with one choice Constituency or List

Terry Barlow

11:10 on 28 Aug 2017

There should be no list candidates

Tom Forbes

18:04 on 18 Aug 2017

Agree with first comment .

Ann Forbes

17:21 on 18 Aug 2017

Constituency or list one or another not allowed to stand on both.

J T alexander

14:00 on 18 Aug 2017

I agree with the Petitioner 100%.
The system is allowing candidates to be elected to the Scottish Parliament by a collection of 2nd, 3rd, etc preference votes rather than votes for the candidate of their choice.
It is also allows Parties to manipulate 'The List' by ordering candidates, they know may not be elected as Constituency MSPs, to gain a seat.

JULIE CHRISTIE-GAMBLE

10:52 on 14 Aug 2017

I agree that candidates who have not been elected should not be admitted to Parliament. I do not see why Regional MSPs cannot also be elected through explicit choice on the ballot paper.

Barry Gale

21:45 on 11 Aug 2017

In addition, list MSPs should not be allowed more than two list terms in total during their careers. Two terms should be enough to prove their utility to the electorate. After that, they should be required to stand as constituency MSPs.
This would also provide a steady flow of new MSPs and help prevent the Scottish Parliament from becoming a Westminster-style cosy club for time-serving Establishment members.

Neil Ferguson

1:13 on 08 Aug 2017

I agree that if a candidate is rejected on a constituency vote, it overturns the democratic will of the voters if they then can still gain a seat through the AMS. There was considerable outcry from Scottish parliamentarians when a defeated candidate at the recent general election was then given a seat in the House of Lords -- same thing? Numbers of MSPS should also fairly reflect percentage share of the vote